Bitty & Beau's Coffee Opening In Melrose This Weekend

MELROSE, MA — Everyone loves a local coffee shop for reasons beyond coffee, whether it's to relax with a book, get some work done, or even just get out of the house.

Melrose is getting a unique coffee shop with even more reasons to love this weekend. Bitty & Beau's Coffee is run by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, giving customers an experience worth so much more than just a great cup of coffee.

Bitty & Beau's Coffee has gained critical acclaim since opening its first shop in North Carolina in 2016 and will be opening its 7th shop in Melrose this Saturday.

The coffee shop was started by Amy Wright and her family, with a goal to create a path for people with disabilities to become more valued, accepted, and included in the community.

Named after their two children with Down syndrome, the brand was first launched by the Wright family in 2016 to change the way people see people with disabilities -- especially in the workplace.

"80% of people with disabilities don't have jobs, and we're out to change that. Not just by providing employment opportunities for people with disabilities, but by showing our guests what's possible," said co-founder Amy Wright. "Bitty & Beau's Coffee has created a path for people with disabilities to become valued, accepted, and included in every community, we've said it from the start -- it’s more than just a cup of coffee."

Bitty & Beau's Coffee currently employs 120 people with disabilities and has been featured on The Today Show, Rachael Ray, CNN, Harry, Good Morning America, Dr. Oz, HLN, People Magazine, and Southern Living Magazine.

Founder, Amy Wright, was named 2017 CNN Hero of the Year.

The shop is located at 462 Main Street in Melrose and will be open daily from 7 a.m.- 5 p.m.

A Grand Opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place this Saturday, August 28 at 10 a.m.

To learn more about Bitty & Beau's Coffee click here.